Sleeve assembly for valve stems, piston rods, spindles, plungers, and the like



Sept. 25, 1928.

C. V. FOULDS SLEEVE ASSEMBLY FOR VALVE STEIS, P S OH RODS, SPINDLES, PLUNGERS, AND THE KB Filed Feb. 12, 1927 y I l I... 3 2

\ w. X 2 J X 6 Patented Sept. 25, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES V. FOULDS, OF BERKELEY, CALTFOENIA,'ASSIGNOR TO THE PELTON WATER WHEEL 00., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

SLEEVE ASSEMBLY FOR VALVE STEMS, PISTON RODS, SPINDLES, PLUNGERS, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed February 12, 1927.

Valve stems, piston rods, spindles and plungers at their point of passage through packing glands or other sealing devices and into the atmosphere for exterior connection with operating means or other elements are subject to corrosive action. This corrosion of the stem, valve or spindle has been generally overcome by applying a sleeve, of what is commonly termed non-corrosive metal, to the stem, shaft or spindle.

Metal having non-corrosive properties does not generally possess the strength and physical qualities for carrying the stresses necessary in valve stem, piston rod, spindle or plunger operation, thus in overcoming the corroding and pitting of the stem shaft or plunger, a material capable of carrying the stresses and strains of operation of a valve stem, shaft or plunger operation is employed as an operating body and the same is surrounded by a relatively thin sleeve of non corrosive and non-pitting material which reciprocates therewith.

While this construction, as at present mounted, overcomes the corroding and pitting of the main operating body, it has serious objections when the sleeve operates within a fluid pressure chamber and extends outwardly therefrom into the atmosphere, orinto a zone of lower pressure than that of the Imain pressure chamber.

Through imperfection in the non-corrosive material or defects in the joint seal connection between the non-corrosive material and the main operating body which may be a valve stem, piston rod, spindle or plunger, the fluid under pressure in the pressure chamber, or chamber of highest pressure, where twoor more chambers are employed, often finds its way beneath the inner surface of the sleeve, follows along the same to a point where the sleeve is operating in a zone of lower pressure than that of the pressure chamber, and causes a distortion or bulging outwardly ofv the relatively thin sleeve, the

latter blocking or precluding further movement of the valve stem, piston rod, spindle or plunger, as the case may be, in either direction.

My present invention relates to an improved sleeve assembly for valve stems, piston rods, spindles, plungers and the like, whereby the accumulation of internal preseuro beneath. the sleeve is overcome, and

reclude the entrance'of Serial No. 167,625.

whereby the liability of the distortion of the sleeve is eliminated, removing the liability of the interruption of operation of mechanism from this cause.

The objects of the amongst others, are to enable, with entire safety, the use of a non-corrosive sleeve of thinner wall dimensions than has heretofore been possible; provide a construction wherein the outside diameter of the main valve stem is maintained at its maximum for any given outside diameter of the assembly; one wherein an outlet is provided for any fluid which may find its way between the surface of the stem and the inner wall of the sleeve; to proyide a structure wherein the sleeve is sealed to its parent part at a point within the pressure zone within which the part is operating to fluid under pressure neath the sleeve surface; and to provide a structure wherein a vent is provided in the sleeve for releasing to atmosphere or into a chamber of lower pressure, fluid under pressure which may find its way beneath the surface of the shell. 1

it-h the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

. In the drawings, forming a part of the appresent invention,

plication Fig. 1 is a view in vertical section of one fied construction of the upper end of a tailrod.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 of Fig.2. i

In the drawings, disclosing one application of the invention, and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts- 1 indicates a valve body, the fluid passage 2 the form, proportion,

embodiment of my invention as applied to the nism,

'As any suitable mechanism for alternately therethrough being controlled by a gate valve cylinder 7, through the end wall of which.

reciprocates the end of the tailrod 5.

Operating pressure is supplied to the cylinder 7 at opposite sides of thepiston (ito open and close the valve 3, by any suitable mechaconventionally illustrated at 8.

directing operating pressure against opposite faces of the piston 6, and well known to those valve body .1 and cylinder 7,

.rod is longitudinally grooved at 12, V grooves at skilled in this art, may-be employed, and as the same does not form any part of the present invention, its detailed description is not thought to be necessary.

The valve stem reciprocates throughpacking glands 9 in the walls 10, separating the and the tailrod likewise reciprocatcs through a gland 11 in the wall'of the cylinder 7. v

The surface of the stem l, preferably-he tween its point of attachment to the gate valve 3and its point of mounting the piston 6 is longitudinally grooved at 12, the grooves at their upper ends being connected through ducts 13 drilled radially into the stem and intersecting at the base of a bore 1%, drilled centrally of said stem, and extending axially through that portion of the stem mounting'the piston 6.

.A sleeve 15 of relatively thin metal, of the type commonly referred to as non-corrodible, tightly embraces the stem 4, its ends being united to the stem by welding or other methods of attachment 16, to afford a leak-proof joint between the sleeve and stem body.

, The tailrod 5 is threadably tapped into the end of the axially drilled at 17, to afford a bore for registering with the bore 14. Like themain portion of the stem 4;, the surface of the tailthe nected by a circumferential channel 19 cut in the surface of the tailrod, and at their opposite ends connect ng with lateral ducts 20 opening .to the atmosphere.

Snugly embracing the grooved portion of the tailrod is a relatively thin shell 21 of what is commonly termed non-corrosive material,

the shell and tailrod being substantially united at 22 by a leak-proof joint of any suitable type.

- It will be observed that the portion of the valve stem and that portion of the tailrod rcciprocating in stufling boxes or glands'and extending into chambers or zones differing in pressure from that in which the main portions of the stem or tailrod operate, are provided with a sleeve of non-corrosive material,

and beneath said sleeve are provided-with vents or passages through which any fiuid piston rods,

stem 1, and for a short distance'is their lower ends being intercomfinding its way beneath the shell is conveyed to a point of discharge, Without permitting the fluid accumulating under pressure and distorting the non-corrosive sleeve.

While the embod'ment and application of the invention is illustrated and described as applied to a valve stem,it is to be understood that the invention is adaptable for use with spindles, plungers for pumps, compressors and the like, and, in fact, with any form ofv power transmitting or guide member, the surface of which it is desired to protect against corrosion or pitting and which member is adapted to reciprocate in zones of unequal pressure, or in a single pressure zone and extend into or communicate with atmospheric pressure.

1. In combination with a pressure chamber, a rod therein and extending therefrom through the chamber wall, a. shell tightly embracing the rod and affording a protecting cover therefor, portions of opposing surfaces of said rod and shelllying in spaced relation, affording a passage therebetween extending cndwise of the rod and other portions of said rod and shell lying in supporting contact to prevent the collapsing of the shell,.means for providing a fluid tight joint connection between the rod and shell, saidpassage vbeing vented at a point without said pressure chamber. r

2. In combination witha pressure chamber, a movable rod extending thereinto and operating through said chamber wall, a. shell tightly embracing the rod and forming a protecting cover therefor, said rod beneath said shell being provided with a longitudinal groove, and means for providing a fluid tight joint connection between the rod and shell ing of the shell, means for providing a fluid tight joint connection between the rod and shell within the chamber, said passage being vented exteriorly of the chamber.

4:. In combination with a pressure chamber, a movable metal rod extending thereinto and operating through said chamber wall, a relatively thin shell of a metal differing from that of the rod, tightly embracing the rod and forming a protecting cover therefor, the

surfaceofsaid rod being provided with a plurality of lineally disposed grooves and further provided with one or more circumferential grooves connecting the lineal grooves, said rod being further provided with a central base and radial duets connecting the bore with the circumferential grooves, said grooves, bore and ducts affording a relief passage between the rod and shell, said bore aflording a vent opening for the passage exteriorly of the pressure chamber, and means for providing a fluid tight joint connection I between the rod and shell within the chamber.

5. In combination with a pressure chamher, a rod therein and extending exteriorly thereof a shell embracing the rod and affording a protecting cover therefor, portions of said rod and shell lying in spaced relation affording a passage therebetween extending endwise of the rod and other portions of said rod and shell at points throughout their length lying in supporting contact to prevent the collapsing of the shell, a gland with which the surface of said shell contacts, and means for providing a fluid tight joint connection between the shell within the chamber.

6. In combination with a pressure chamber, a rod therein and extending exteriorly thereof, a shell embracing the rod and affording a protecting cover therefor, portions of said rod and affording a passage therebetween extending endwise of the rod, other portions of said rod and shell at points throughout their length lying in supporting contact to prevent the collapsing of the shell, said passage being vented exteriorly of the chamber, a gland with which the surface of said shell contacts, and means for securing the rod and shell together at a point within the chamber, said securing means precluding the entrance of pressure from the chamber to the space between the rod and shell at their point of attachment.

In testimony whereof I name to this specification.

' CHARLES V. FOULDS.

and rod at a point have signed my shell lying in spaced relation 

